The Power of the Sun The Sun is the ruler of the sign Leo in the Zodiac. It is exalted in Aries and in debilitation in Libra. Sun rules the birthstars (Constellations) of Karttika, Uttara Phalguni and Uttarashadha. Natural friends are the Moon, Mars and Jupiter. Natural enemies are Saturn, Venus, Rahu and Ketu. The Sun's postion in one's horoscope will indicate in a variety of traits in an individual, both physical and psychological. First, we should understand what the sun represents in an astrological horoscope. The Sun is considered the ruler of our entire solar system. All the other planets orbit around it and are dependent on the Sun's energy for the existence of most life forms living upon them. From the position of the Sun in a horoscope, we can understand a lot about the person's physical appearance, although it is not the only factor. It represents the basic behavioural traits of a person as well, but again there are other factors that must also be taken into consideration. The Sun is the representative of father, so a competent astrologer should be aware of the parental status, traits and the relationship a person has with him. Even the length of the father's lifespan can be seen by the position of the Sun at the time of the person's birth. It can also be representative of the husband in a woman's chart. The Sun gives us power through the vitamins contained in its rays; so the level of a person's physical power, or energy, is also determined by the Sun. The Sun will also determine the amount of influence to be gained over others during his or her lifetime. The Sun is the king of all planets and is the supplier of light and heat to the universe, and therefore has more influence over life than any other planet. Success in maintaining a healthy body, vitality, immune system and the willpower to achieve greatness in society is under the purview of the Sun. It gives life force, intelligence and prosperity. It is indicative of wealth, wisdom, good fortune and success in all worldly affairs. Our ambition and the ability to understand the physical and phenomenal world all come under the sun's control. The sun represents kings government officials, people in government service and leaders. It represents wealthy or famous people, as well as those living in or connected with a church, temple, or religious insititution. It also represents creative people like artists, actors, jewellers, gemologists, and merchant traders in gold. Doctors, nurses and those connected with the healing field are also ruled by the Sun. The Sun, if well placed in the chart, can give great abilities in the categories mentioned, making a perosn cheerful, fortunate, and wise. If ill-placed in the horoscope it can indicate in myriad of physical as well as possible mental or emotional problems, pessimistic attitude, humiliation at the hands of others and impoverished conditions of life. A strong Sun can give rise to fame in their area, field, or even the whole world. An individual would be virtuous, full of vitality and have the potency to instruct or command others in proper way if the Sun is beneficially disposed. The Sun can indicate that a person's status in society increases steadily during his lifetime to a place far above that in which he/she was born. If the Sun is afflicated in the horoscope, it may make a person too proud or egotistical. It may also indicate excessive arrogance or boastfulness. The sun will reveal it's full influence between the ages of twelve and twenty four years. In the physical body the Sun is ruler of the heart, head, lungs, liver, nervous system and skeletal structure. It indicates the right eye in a male and the left in a female. To fast on a Sunday is recommended if the Sun is weak in the horoscope.
Myth When the universe was bathed in darkness, Lord Brahma - the God of creation, split it off the center and the sound "AUM" reverberated. This incident resulted in the creation of the Sun. The Sun is thus known as being "selfcreated". In Hindu mythology, worship of the Sun brings redemption. Lord Rama triumphed in his battle with Ravana - a ten headed demon king), by chanting the hymn for the Sun. This hymn was taught to Rama by the great Saint Agastiya.
Temple Suryanar Koil is dedicated to the Sun God. Other planetary gods also have independent shrines in Suryanar Koil surrounding the Sun's central shrine. The temple is astronomically significant, as it is located at a strategic point to receive maximum beneficial rays from the planets. As all of the planetary deities are represented at this temple, this temple is the most important one for performing remedies for all the nine planets. The nine planets themselves worshiped Shiva at this temple. Shiva ordained that whoever came to this temple and worshipped would feel the
reversal of karma and be rid of harmful effects from the planets. At Suryanar Koil, Ganesha the remover of obstacles is worshipped first, then the rest of the planets in order - lighting lamps and performing remedies according to prescription.